Drawer type napkin dispenser



March 17, 1936. Y O HU ET AL 2,034,516

DRAWER TYPE NAPKIN DISPENSER Filed May 16, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J O. HUNT El AL DRAWER TYRE NAPKIN DISPENSER Filed May 16,

Patented Mar. 17, 1936 UNETED STATES DRAWER TYPE NAPKIN DISPENSER John 0. Hunt, Tenafly, N. J., and Chapel S. Carter, Orange, Conn., assignors to The H. C. Cook Company, Ansonia, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application May 16, 1933, Serial No. 671,330

11 Claims.

This invention relates to napkin dispensers, and more particularly to a device designed to be installed in cafeterias, lunch-rooms, and the like, to enable a patron to secure a napkin and at the same time prevent access to the entire supply. The device is particularly designed for use in lunch-rooms of the self-service type, that is, where the patron secures the napkin for himself.

It is, of course, desirable to prevent access to the entire supply of napkins in order that a patron may not secure more than are necessary, and at the same time it is desirable to provide for the ready and convenient withdrawal of a single napkin by the customer whenever he wishes it. Other desirable features of a device of this character are to provide a container or receptacle which may be readily filled and kept supplied with napkins without inconvenience,

2c and at the same time provide a device which may be economically manufactured.

One object of this invention is to provide a dispenser for napkins or similar articles which will permit anyone to withdraw the articles one 25 at a time from the front thereof, and at the same time prevent access to the entire supply. Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser )for napkins or like articles, which shall be of the drawer type whereby it may be installed in a cabinet or the like and withdrawn for filling, but secured against withdrawal during ordinary periods of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the drawer type having a base portion slidably connected thereto which may be secured to a cabinet in which the container is mounted, and a follower mounted on the base portion whereby when the container is with- V drawn from the cabinet for filling, the follower 40 will be withdrawn to the rear end of the container so as to provide for the insertion of the napkins or other articles in front of the follower.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts 45 to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a dispenser embodying my invetnion, the dispenser being shown as mounted in a frame or cabinet;

50 Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view partly in section of the container withdrawn from the cabinet;

55 Fig. 5 is a sectional View on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 1-1 of Fig. 2.

As a preferred embodiment of our invention,

60 we have illustrated a dispenser in the form of a drawer type structure designed to be used with a cabinet or the like, which cabinet will be provided with an opening through its front face to permit the disposal of the dispenser in a recess therein. In the drawings, this cabinet is shown 5v at l0 and consists merely in a box-like structure to cover the drawer or dispensing device. It will be understood that in practice, however, the cabinet may contain several of the dispensers or may be a cabinet used for other purposes with 10 provision to accommodate one or more of the napkin dispensers.

The dispenser comprises two slidably connected parts, a base portion l I which may be secured to the cabinet by suitable fastening devices, such 15 as screws or rivets l2, and a drawer structure l3 which comprises the side walls I4 and ['5 connected to the front face portion Hi. The side walls may be connected adjacent their rear ends by a strap I! to improve the rigidity of the structure.

At their lower ends the side walls are turned laterally and extend inwardly for a short distance to provide the inwardly directed portions l8, which at their inner edges, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, are provided with the upturned flanges I9. Secured upon the portions l8 are strips 20 extending longitudinally of the drawer. These strips may abut the elements l8 at their central portions but are provided with edge portions 2| and 22 spaced from the surfaces of the elements l8. The edge 22 may be rounded or arc-shaped, as shown more especially in Fig. 6 and extends over the adjacent upturned flange l 9.

The member ll consists of a plate-like structure substantially fiat throughout the greater. portion of its area and of substantially the same length as the drawer member l3. At each lateral edge the material of this element is displaced upwardly and formed to provide a guide element 23 which is designed to slidably fit within the curved edge 22 of the strip 20 and lie between this edge and the upturned flange Is. It will be seen, therefore, that the member I l is slidably connected to the member l3 and will be suitably 46 guided in sliding relation therewith due to the cooperating parts Hi, 22 and 23.

Lugs 24 may be struck up from the bottom of the base element H, and to each of these lugs is pivotally connected a link 25, whichlink is a 50 part of a lazy tongs structure comprising, in addition, the links 26, 21 and 28, all of which are pivoted together in a well-known manner. The links 25 and 28 are pivoted at 29, and about this pivot is positioned a spring 39, the ends of which react upon posts 3| and 32 provided upon the links 25 and 28 respectively, so that the action of this spring tends to open out the links 25 and 28 and urge the lazy tongs structure to extended position,

It will be understood that this lazy tongs structure is duplicated at each side of the device, and that the posts 3| and 32 and pivot 29 extend across from the link structure at one side to that upon the other side. The links 28 are pivo-tally connected at their forward ends as at 33 to the lower corners of a plate-like follower 34. Adjacent its upper end this follower is provided with slotted members 35 within the slots 35! of which rides a rod 35 secured to the ends of the links 21. By this provision the lazy tongs structure is connected to the follower 34 at two points so that the follower will be maintained at all times in parallel positions, but at the same time will be free to be moved rearwardly or to the right, as shown in Fig. 4, by pressure upon the front thereof, and moved to the left, as shown in this figure, by the action of the spring 30.

It will also be understood that the lazy tongs structure and follower are secured to the base portion l I only by the pivotal connection with th cars 24.

As shown more especially in Fig. 5, the follower 34 is provided with side flanges 34a which are adapted to have sliding contact with inwardly projecting ribs 31 formed in the side walls l4 and I 5 of the drawer structure 13. These ribs cooperating with the flanges upon the follower properly guide the latter in its movement in the drawer, and at the same time provide for a minimum of friction in that a very small contact area is provided. The follower 34 is also provided at its lower corners with laterally extending lugs 38 which project below the edges 21] of the strips 29 so that the follower will also be guided by the guide strip 20 in its movements within the drawer.

At their rear ends the sides l4 and [5 may be provided with inturned flanges 39 and 40, which flanges are secured to the elements l8 by the L- shaped members 4| and 42 welded thereon. These inturned flange portions will contact with the follower 34, as shown in Fig. 5, and prevent the drawer from being completely detached from the cabinet.

The follower adjacent its lower edge may be provided with openings 43 and 44 to clear the guide strip 20 and associated parts in the movement of the carrier within the drawer.

The front face or plate l6 may be secured to the sides I 4 and I5 of the drawer structure by means of lateral flanges 45 and 46 formed integrally with the sides l4 and I5 and welded to the face portion Hi. If additional rigidity is desired, L-shaped members 41 may be secured to the members l8 and the face member IS. The member I6 is provided with an opening 48 of the proper shape and configuration to enable a user of the device to grasp, easily and conveniently between his fingers, the end of one of the folded napkins 49 so as to withdraw the latter from the container through the opening 48. The shape of this opening is such that the fingers may be inserted therein to grasp the edge of the napkin and at the same time permits the napkin to be pulled therethrough without being torn or mutilated.

At its front edge, the base member H is provided with a spring tongue 50 secured at one end 5! to the base member, the spring tongue portion 53 being displaced upwardly from the base member and provided with an opening 52 to receive a downwardly extending lug 53 provided on a member 54 secured to the face Hi. It will be understood that the catch provided by the members 50 and 53, as shown in Fig. 2, will hold the base I I and drawer I3 in proper assembled position, notwithstanding the pressure of the follower 34 upon the napkins 49. This is, of course, necessary while the device is in use, and it will be obvious that as this securing device is below the napkins, it will be out of sight, and the ordinary person will not understand how to release it. The ordinary user will, therefore, be prevented from obtaining access to the entire supply of napkins and will be compelled to withdraw them one at a time through the opening 48.

The top of the cabinet l may, if desired, be

made removable in order to facilitate the installation of our dispensing apparatus therein, although this is not absolutely necessary. If the top is not removable, the drawer structure may be put into place and the follower 34 pushed rearwardly to a sufiicient extent to enable the base II to be secured to the cabinet through the front end of the drawer, which will then probably be in extended position. If the top is removable, the drawer may be removed from the base II and the latter secured in place. Thereafter the rear end of the drawer may be inserted in the opening of the cabinet and the guides I 9, 22 and 23'properly aligned. The follower 34 may be swung upwardly about its pivot with the members 24 and dropped down between the flanges 39 and 40 and the member H. The drawer is then in readiness for sliding movement into the cabinet. When the base plate has been secured to the cabinet and the base plate and drawer assembled for sliding movement, the supply of napkins is inserted between the follower 34 and the face IS, the drawer, of course, being opened for this purpose. When the supply of napkins has been inserted, the drawer is pushed to closed position and the catch 53 engaged in the opening 52, which will hold the parts in place. As the napkins are withdrawn one by one through the opening 48, the follower being urged to the left, as shown in Fig. 2, by means of the spring 30, will at all times maintain the first napkin against the plate l6. Moreover, this follower, as has already been explained, will be properly guided in its sliding movement so that it will always be maintained in an upright position or moved parallel to itself so as to exert even pressure upon the supply of napkins.

When it is desired to replenish the supply of napkins, or for any other reason to draw the drawer or containing portion I3 of the device from the cabinet, it is only necessary to insert the forefinger through the opening 48 and press downwardly upon the spring tongue 50. This will cause the catch 53 to be released and the drawer portion l3 may be drawn outwardly from the base portion H, as shown in Fig. 4, in which position the space for holding the napkins will be readily available for refilling. After the drawer has been refilled, it is pushed into the cabinet, the catch 53 automatically being received in the opening 52, and the drawer will be locked in place.

As shown in Fig. 1, the napkin 49 is folded so as to have a short fold, the edge of which, as shown at 54, does not extend to the top edge 55 of the other fold, but is exposed through the opening 48. It will be observed that the lower portion of the opening 48, as shown at 56, is relatively wide and. slightly wider than the width of the folded napkin 49. Above this wide portion of the opening is a restricted portion between the ears or tabs which project inwardly over the side edges of the napkin, while above this restricted portion the opening is again enlarged to permit free and easy insertion of the hand to grasp the edge 54. Likewise, this enables the sides of the front fold of the napkin to be withdrawn readily from between the lugs or cars 51. Then the napkin is pulled upwardly so that the lower folded portion is drawn out of the widened portion 56 of the opening. The rear fold is then pulled downwardly through the opening 56 past the projecting ears or tabs 51.

While we have shown and described a preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be understood that it is not to be limited to all of the details shown, but is capable of modification and variation within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A dispenser for napkins or like articles comprising a casing and a drawer-like structure therein having two slidably connected sections, one of which serves as a retaining section to retain the structure in place and comprising a plate-like member secured to said casing, and the other serves as a containing section to contain the articles to be dispensed, a follower within the containing section and spring-pressed toward the front face thereof, and extensible means connecting said follower to the plate-like member.

2. A dispenser for napkins or like articles comprising a casing and a drawer-like structure therein having two slidably connected sections, one of which serves as a retaining section to retain the structure in place and comprising a plate-like member secured to said casing, and the other serves as a containing section to contain the articles to be dispensed, a follower within the containing section and spring-pressed toward the front face thereof and connected to the plate-like member, and guiding means to guide said follower in its movement in said containing section.

3. A dispenser for napkins or like articles comprising a casing and a drawer-like structure therein having two slidably connected sections, one of which serves as a retaining section to retain the structure in place and comprising a plate-like member secured to said casing, and the other serves as a containing section to contain the articles to be dispensed, a follower within the containing section, extensible means connecting said follower to the plate-like member, guiding means to guide said follower in its movement in said containing section, and spring means acting on said extensible means to urge the latter to extended position.

4. In a dispenser for napkins, or the like, a casing, a drawer-like structure therein comprising two slidably connected sections, one of which is adapted to contain the articles to be dispensed, and the other of which is secured to the casing to serve as a retaining section, a follower disposed in the containing section, means movably con necting said follower to the retaining section, and means to maintain said follower during its movement in positions perpendicular to the direction of its movement.

5. In a dispenser for napkins, or the like, a casing, a drawer-like structure therein comprising two slidably connected sections, one of which is adapted to contain the articles to be dispensed,

and the other of which is secured to the casing to serve as a retaining section, a follower disposed in the containing section, means movably connecting said follower to the containing section, a pair of extensible members connecting said follower to the retaining section, each of said extensible members being connected to said follower at spaced points to maintain said follower in upright position during its movement, said connection comprising slotted members on the follower, and an element connecting said extensible members and slidable in said slots.

6. A dispenser for napkins or like articles, comprisin a casing and a container therein having a bottom member slidably connected thereto and secured to the casing to constitute a retaining section, said container having an opening in the front thereof, and releasable means for prevent ing sliding movement between said section and the remainder of the container, said means being located within the container and adjacent said opening to be accessible for release therethrough.

7. A dispenser for napkins or like articles, comprising a casing and a drawer-like structure therein having a plate-like part slidably connected thereto and constituting a retaining section to retain the dispenser in place, a follower connected to the retaining section and disposed within the drawer and spring-pressed toward the front end of the drawer. Y

8. A dispenser for napkins or like articles comprising side wall members and a sectional bottom member, said member havingan intermediate section to which the adjacent sections are slidably connected, said intermediate section serving as a retaining section, said dispenser having an opening in the front thereof, and releasable means for preventing sliding movement between said sections, said means being releasable through said opening.

9. A dispenser for napkins or like articles comprising a casing and a drawer-like structure therein, said drawer-like structure having side wall and bottom members, said bottom member being sectional and having an intermediate portion thereof connected to the remainder to permit sliding movement therebetween, said intermediate portion constituting a retaining section and comprising a plate-like structure adapted to be secured to the casing, and cooperating guiding means on the plate-like structure and an adjacent bottom part to guide the latter in its sliding movement relatively to the retaining section.

10. A dispenser for napkins or like articles comprising a casing and a container therein to hold the articles and having as a part of its bottom a section secured to the casing to constitute a retaining section, said section being connected to the rest of the container for relative sliding movement, and normally concealed releasable means for preventing sliding movement between said section and the container.

11. A dispenser for napkins or like articles comprising a casing, a drawer-like structure therein having bottom parts, one of which is secured to the casing and connected to the remainder thereof for relative sliding movement, means releasably holding said parts against such movement, and means to prevent complete separation of said parts.

JOHN O. HUNT. CHAPEL S. CARTER. 

